It’s no secret that homeowners throughout the nation are looking for ways to cut down on their energy bills and go green. As a result, the solar technology market in the last five years has grown exponentially as homeowners install traditional solar panels on their roofs. Yet many of these households are running into problems, as their panels become the target of theft. Further, many Homeowner Associations don’t allow traditional panels on roofs because they jut up and can be seen by neighbors. This is keeping people from trying solar power, but a number of companies offer solar shingles as a solution. They are built to integrate with regular asphalt shingles, and don’t sit up on racks like traditional panels. And, since they are installed directly into the roof, they are much harder to steal. Here’s a detailed look at the more popular shingles available.

Powerhouse Shingle: Aided by $20 million in funding from the US Department of Energy and justifying their $1.5 billion annual investment in R&D, Dow CEO Andrew Liveris unveiled their Powerhouse Shingle in late 2009 and it is widely available to homeowners this year. They have received a lot of publicity since Dow's shingle uses a much more low-cost and sturdy material called Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) instead of the usual silicon. These shingles are meant to replace traditional roof tiles so they integrate seamlessly with the home. This means regular roofing companies can install them with an electrician connecting them to the home once installed, so homeowners don’t have to hire a separate solar installation company, which can often be very expensive. Dow’s extensive history with plastics allowed them to create an incredibly strong plastic cover to replace the glass most solar panels use, without allowing any less light through. This lets the shingles protect the roof from the elements just like a normal roof.

Sun Energy Shingles: Made by BIPV Inc, Sun Energy Shingles can provide up to 50 Watts of electricity per shingle. They are intended to sit directly over the already existing composition or asphalt roof, so they lay flat and provide a much more atheistically pleasing look than panels installed on racks. They use polycrystalline silicon, which BIPV claims makes them more efficient than other cells they produce using thin-film technology. Further, they have a Class A fire rating and a high wind and snow load rating, so they are rather durable and will continue to protect the home just like a roof is designed to do. The Sun Energy Shingles are currently available to homeowners, and have been installed on a number of homes in the western part of the country.

Other companies, like OK Solar, are also getting in on the action to help homeowners power their home by alternative energy without having to sacrifice the aesthetics of the house itself. Plus, because of their design and installation, solar shingles are a great substitute to the traditional panels, especially if dealing with theft or Homeowners Associations. If considering ways to green your lifestyle or home, solar shingles are a terrific option.

Alan Parker is a blogger based out of New York, NY who writes about alternative energy, green business, sustainability, and climate change.
Follow on Twitter @AGreenParker